Vitals

Power Ratings

Offense: 3Defense: 4Goalkeeping: 3Draw Control: 5

Top Returner

M Shannon Gilroy (Jr.)
The 5-foot-9 midfielder is the top returner in terms of points
(65) and draw controls (59). Dominating possession will be key as
the defense adjusts to a new goalie, and Gilroy can deliver
them.

X-Factor

A Lauren Lea (So.)
Lea is thriving under Tumolo's tutelage, and will hopefully be
able to ease the loss of Kitty Cullen.

NCAA Tournament Trend

What's New?

Most of the starting line-up. Only three 2013 starters (Gilroy,
Barry and DuPre) return.

Telling Number

54
Percent of the Gators' 2013 goals scored by Cullen, Dashiell,
Ashley Bruns and Gabi Wiegand, all of whom have graduated.

Enemy Lines

Opposing coach thoughts on the Gators

"Graduated majority of their starting lineup but an athletic
roster keeps the Gators in the top 10. Barry and Gilroy will lead
the way for the young Gators."

"A lot of people are counting them out after losing a great
senior class, but the cupboard is hardly bare. They play a fun
style to watch and always have great fan support. Gilroy can
dominate games single-handedly, but will need a strong supporting
cast."

"Will be young but Shannon Gilroy on the draw will help them
gain possession. Still fast, and fiery on the attack."

"The Gators said goodbye to undoubtedly one of the most
impactful senior classes in the nation last season but the
determination they left behind will not be lost by the
underclassmen numbers they have on the roster."

"Despite having only a few seniors, several underclassmen are
used to playing key roles and should be able to hold their own this
season."

"Brings new meaning to the phrase 'hit hard by graduation.' Will
be interesting to see which new players step up for the Gators and
how they perform without the heralded Class of 2013. Shannon Gilroy
is a good place to start."

"We shall see if they have enough returning talent to hang in
the top 10 by the end of the year. "

"They have the speed, but will take a few steps back after
graduating the first class. Gilroy will need others to step up to
make another postseason run."

"Fast and they know how to use it."

"Lots of questions...with so many new faces, it will be
interesting to see what they become. It's a whole new year and an
entirely new team."

"Florida will be young, and will search for an identity early
on. They will find it quickly."

"Programs like Florida don't go downhill after one year of
graduation. They're similar to what happened to us where it was
thought after that first class for us graduated that maybe there
would be a drop off. Florida has recruited very well. Amanda
(O'Leary) is an unreal recruiter, and I know they're going to do
unbelievable things this year with Shannon Gilroy and that host of
great players."

"I think they are going to be a team to beat. From the outside
looking in, you would think they graduated a lot, they are not
going to be very good, but they've gotten some fantastic recruits
that are ready to step up. Even coming in as sort of an underdog
I'm sure is going to fire them up more to come out and beat teams
up."

"That's a tough place to play."

2013 Recap

In a Nutshell: Florida was a talented team that
picked bad moments to have bad games. The Gators crushed
Northwestern, 22-4, in the regular season but then lost the ALC
championship to the Wildcats. That loss gave Florida a
lower-than-expected No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, which put
them on a collision course with Syracuse. The Gators committed 13
turnovers against the Orange and were knocked out of the NCAA
tournament in the quarterfinal round. It was a step backwards for a
team that made the 2012 semifinals, and for a program that has
clear championship ambitions.

High Point: A 22-4 dismantling of Northwestern
on Senior Day. The Gators gave the then-defending NCAA champs their
worst loss since the varsity team was revived in 2002. Gilroy led
Florida with five goals and two assists.

Low Point: A 16-11 loss to ALC rival Penn State
on March 30. The Gators had a sluggish second half and dropped
their first-ever game to the Nittany Lions in five meetings. The
normally sharp Florida D allowed 10 goals in the second period.

2013 Preview

Best Case: Freshmen acclimate quickly to NCAA
play and Florida closes its ALC chapter with another conference
crown. Gilroy establishes herself as the best midfielder in the
country.

Worst Case: The talent is there but it doesn't
coalesce quickly enough, and the Gators lose ground to the
ever-improving Penn State program and squeak into the NCAA
tournament with at-large bid.

Self Examination: O'Leary's comments on...

Nicole Graziano: Nicole really matured and
came into her own. She's someone who we're going to look to fill
some of those spots in that midfield.

Taylor Bresnahan: She came in and really
surprised us, and got some quality playing time in the fall. She's
someone who we might look at putting into that midfield.

Caroline Fitzgerald: That kid has gone
above and beyond all of our expectations, especially as a freshman.
She's somebody who we're going to look to step up there on attack
and vie for a starting position. She is so tenacious and such a
great athlete, really smart.